Gosar Refuses to Rule Out Uranium Mining on Tribal Lands
WINDOW ROCK, AZ – Our tribal communities know just how hard Ann Kirkpatrick has fought for them in Congress – among her many accomplishments [link], she successfully repealed the Bennett Freeze law [link], secured the reauthorization and improvement of the Indian Health Service after 10 years of delays [link], helped get more resources for tribal law enforcement [link] and ensured that Native American Veterans will not be disadvantaged by their service. [link] She was born and raised on tribal lands, and her dedication to serving Indian country has won her the endorsement of tribal leaders from across Greater Arizona. [link]
Her opponent, Paul Gosar, has shown many times that he does not understand or care about the challenges facing Indian Country.
While many Native American families have been hurt by mining for uranium in this region, Gosar has refused to commit to ending this devastating practice – either on tribal lands or in the Grand Canyon. Asked if he thinks uranium mining should be prohibited in Northern Arizona, Gosar responded, “You can’t do a blanket call for no mining at all. You have to look at each individual application according to what's being asked.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 9/19/10]
Ann Kirkpatrick has talked with those who suffered because of uranium mining and heard their stories. She is fighting to make Washington listen to those stories, too. She knows there is only one right answer to this question: “I strongly support prohibiting new uranium mining in Northern Arizona, including in areas around the Grand Canyon. We know too well the risks of allowing those projects so near our communities and our water supply, and enough is enough.” [Arizona Daily Sun, 10/3/10]
"If Paul Gosar does not understand the painful legacy of uranium mining for Native American families, what other issues facing Indian Country will he ignore if he is elected?"
said Amos Johnson, Navajo Nation Council Delegate. "The tribes need someone who will be a voice for us in Washington – Paul Gosar is not interested in being that voice, and we know how hard Ann Kirkpatrick will fight for us."
“Paul Gosar has no regard for the health and safety of our tribal communities. He has not listened to our needs and concerns,”
said Dr. Leland Leonard, Interim CEO of the Fort Defiance Indian Hospital. “He has pledged to reverse the new funding for the Indian Health Service that we worked to achieve for so long, and now he feels we should consider more uranium mining that has poisoned our people. We must do whatever we can to support Ann Kirkpatrick, who knows our beliefs and values and has always been a friend."
